Bolshevik Tries Plot in Abyssinia

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 30

Bolshevik Tries Plot in Abyssinia

DOCTOR-AGENT’S PROPAGANDA BOMBS AND RIFLES SENT The story of a Bolshevik agent’s activities in one of the oldest kingdoms in the world—Abyssinia, is printed by the “Daily Mail.” It is a literal translation from “Birhanna Salam” (“Light and Peace”), which tells in language that at times seems almost biblical in its impressive simplicity of the “Bolshevik attempts by Dr. Gavrilov and his expulsion.” “Birhanna Salam” is an Amharic paper printed in Addis Ababa. It was started in 1925 by King (then Ras) Tafari, and was for some time printed in his press fitted up in his palace grounds. It is practically the Government mouthpiece. “A doctor formerly attached to the municipality of Addis Ababa—Dr. Gavrilov —was convicted of operations against the law, and because he has been expelled from the country we are summarising the facts which led to his expulsion, so that those who may come to have knowledge of what he may publish will .not believe that it is true.

“Everyone knows that Russia was i a prosperous country inhabited by a | numerous population. But in 1917 some dishonest people, adventurers, thieves and vagabonds, joined toge- ! ther, and having fomented strikes, totally upset the Government. | “As a result, the high officials, nobles, bishops, priests, merchants and persons of property were percccuted. The State buildings and churches were pillaged and destroyed. Those who had formerly held high rank, and who were honoured, the rich and the elite of the population, were forced to undertake the meanest, work, such as breaking stones and carrying burdens; tasks which were formerly performed by persons of the lowest class. “Moreover, under the pretence that a house should not be owned by a single proprietor or a woman by a single man, they took away the wives of the nobles and high personages and exposed them to the mockery of all. “As a result of all these happenings blood ran like water in Russia, the streets and squares were filled with corpses. It was the ruin of the country. “Those who are the cause of all these catastrophes are called Bolsheviks. “Meanwhile those Russians who remained faithful to their Government and to their King, and who opposed the Bolsheviks, were driven out and scattered over other countries. They received much help in all these countries, they were clothed and fed and received asylum there. “The Bolsheviks, having learned in what manner these exiles had been helped, and suffering themselves from famine, went to foreign countries as though they .were themselves exiles, so as to stir up trouble there. Those who were discovered were sent back to their own country. Wife-Stealer and Slayer “Just as among good wheat one finds tares, so among the Russian exiles who came to Ethiopia, Dr. Gavrilov (who was appointed doctor to the municipality) soon became known by his acts and speech as a partisan of the Bolsheviks. “Firstly.—He publicly took away the wife of one of his friends and compatriots. The latter not being able to take legal proceedings against Dr. Gavrilov, the ravisher, preferred death to living in dishonour and attempted suicide. He seriously wounded himself with a rifle. “Secondly.—Having seen the doctors of different nationalities living at Addis Ababa giving tlieir services to the people he advised sick persons to address themselves solely to him, pretending that he was Russian, and moreover of the orthodox belief, as

they were. He was thus the cause of much harm in forbidding sick persons to consult other doctors. “Thirdly.—The former director of the Menelik School, Hanna Bey, being ill, Dr. Gavrilov treated him in a reckless and hasty manner, and was the cause of his sudden death. “When these reprehensible actions became known, the municipality of Addis Ababa cancelled his afipdintment as doctor. Subsequently he began to intrigue against the country to do harm to the people, and to carry on pernicious propaganda among those who came to be treated by him. “But the Ethiopian people, profoundly Christian, fearing God, honouring their King, not only refused to listen to his advice, but warned the police authorities of these secret goings on. The police authorities, in order to assure themselves that these reports were correct, sent reliable emissaries, whom Dr. Gavrilov took to be Bolshevik partisans, and began to let them into his secrets. “He had written to one of his friends to send him from Sofia, in Bulgaria, explosive bombs intended to be thrown at the Queen, the King, the nobles, high officials, doctors of the Church, priests, soldiers, and people when they all assembled together, so as to provoke trouble and cause the downfall of the Ethiopian Government. Bombs Ready “Three months afterward the reply, saying that the explosive bombs and other materials were ready for dispatch, reached Dr. Gavrilov. But Dr. Gavrilov . . . showed this letter to someone, and as a result it came into the hands of the Chief of Police. “The Chief of Police, who for three months had been aware of Dr. Gavrilov’s activities, received by this letter the proof that everything alleged against him was tfue from beginning to end. “As a result., Dr. Gavrilov, having been convicted of having undertaken propaganda among the gooxl and Christian Ethiopian people with the object of destroying the Ethiopian Government, and of causing harm to the people, was condemned to he expelled. He was arrested by the police on the 9th Ginbot, 1921 (May 17, 1929), and placed on a train leaving Addis Ababa that day. “The reproduction of the letter establishing Dr. Gavrilov’s propaganda will be published in the next issue.” Letter that Betrayed From “Birhanna Salam” (“Light and Peace”), Hamus, 29th, Ginbot, 1921 (Thursday), June 6, 1929); “Comrade (Tovaryscz), Gavrilov. — “We have received your letters, also the money in two envelopes to the total value of £SO sterling. We have done everything. We inform you that we have mitrail (sic) . . . German system. It would be dismantled. . . . We undertake to transport and deliver them to Port Said; we have received the addresses and photographs of your people and Will hand over everything to them. “Regarding the hand bombs (? hand grenades) and also those with clockwork, in accordance with what you wrote they may be used at any time. . . . They can be transported and delivered to Port Said. “It will be necessary to spend £3OO for 50 pieces. The organisation begs you to remit the money to the addresses which you know very well (three addresses). “You ask for people to he sent to you; in the next session this question will be decided and we will send you the result by Port Said. “Fraternal greetings, ‘ “P. M. C. B. O,”